Family Life & Culture
The Argument Pattern That’s Slowly Breaking Your Marriage
The Argument Pattern That’s Slowly Breaking Your Marriage Last week, a couple sat across from me in my office, their body language telling the whole story before they said a word. Sarah was leaning forward, desperate to connect. Michael had his arms crossed, eyes fixed somewhere over my shoulder. When I asked what brought them […]
What Nobody Tells You About Love After Kids
The 3 A.M. Text I’ll Never Forget It came from Sarah, a mom I’d been working with for a few months. Just six words: “I miss who we used to be.” She wasn’t talking about her pre-baby body or her old career. She was talking about her marriage. About the inside jokes that used to […]
Why Your Child’s Boredom is Essential
Why Your Child’s Boredom Is Essential (And Why You Should Stop Fixing It) Last Tuesday, I watched a parent in my office practically levitate with anxiety as her eight-year-old son uttered the five words that apparently signal the apocalypse: “Mom, I’m so bored.” Her immediate response? She rattled off twelve activity options in under thirty […]
The Question That Reveals Your Relationship’s Hidden Stress
The Question That Reveals Your Relationship’s Hidden Stress Last week, a couple sat in my office, arms crossed, each staring at opposite walls. When I asked them to describe a typical evening at home, they both answered at the exact same time with completely different stories. He described peaceful coexistence. She described lonely silence. Neither […]
Why Date Nights Aren’t Fixing Your Connection
You Are Not Alone Last Tuesday, a couple sat in my office with all the markers of “doing it right.” They’d hired the babysitter, made a reservation at that new Italian place everyone’s been raving about, and even wore something other than sweatpants. Yet as they described their evening, the wife’s voice cracked: “We sat […]
The 10-Minute Habit That Saved Our Marriage
The 10-Minute Habit That Saved Our Marriage I’ll never forget the Thursday evening when my husband and I sat across from each other at dinner, scrolling through our phones in complete silence. Our seven-year-old broke the spell: “Why don’t you guys ever talk anymore?” Out of the mouths of babes, right? That moment stung because […]
What Your Partner’s Silence is Really Saying
What Your Partner’s Silence is Really Saying Last week, a couple sat in my office describing what they called “the invisible wall.” Sarah would ask her husband about his day, and he’d offer a one-word answer. She’d share a concern about their daughter’s school, and he’d nod without looking up from his phone. “It’s like […]
The Secret to Raising Resilient Kids in a ‘Fix-It’ World
The Secret to Raising Resilient Kids in a ‘Fix-It’ World Last week, a mom in my practice sat across from me with tears in her eyes. “I just want to protect her from everything,” she whispered, talking about her seven-year-old daughter who’d lost a spelling bee. “I saw her face fall, and my first instinct […]
The Chore System That Actually Works
The Chore System That Actually Works (Without the Power Struggles) Last week, a mom sat in my office and said something I’ll never forget: “I feel like I’m raising roommates who think dishes magically clean themselves.” She wasn’t angry — just exhausted. Her kids were 9 and 12, capable and kind, but somehow the simple […]
What Your Child’s Friendships Say About Their Heart
What Your Child’s Friendships Say About Their Heart Last week, a mom sat in my office fighting back tears. “My daughter had three kids over for her birthday,” she said. “Three. Meanwhile, my neighbor’s daughter had twenty-five.” She paused, looking almost embarrassed. “Does that mean something’s wrong with her? With us?” I leaned forward. “Tell […]